The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-28
CAPT, VEATHERBY'S GIFT

his wife were slit ng in front OF the
coal fire m the back parlor, waiting till
it should be safe to leave, and seeing
many queer things in the glowing ash
es. The "help"-they do not keep SER
vants-had gone to bed, and the house
was shut up for the night. No one was
expected, and it was too late for callers,
so there was a mutual start OF alarm
on the part of the pair when the door
bell rang in that sudden way.
MISUNDERSTANDING!
1t was quite ghostly. Mrs. Wealth
erby said:
"Mercy me, who is there, do you sup
poser"
like as not it's telegram, replied
the captain.
Then he went to the door The wire
of that indigant bell was still vibrating,
and the'tongue itself had just stopped
wagging, and yet when the captain
opened the door, not soul was visible.
The soft, light flakes of the last snow of
the season drifted into his face, and fell
cold and wet on his cheeks. Mrs.
Weatherby was close behind, and ex-
claimed:
"Mercy me! 1t was nobody"
mot even the cat" said her hus-
band. "Old Prim can do sight OF
mischief. but she can't ring door-bells.
1t was some pesky boy, ! suppose, who
thought he'd play smart and then run
for it,"
whats that on the door-stepP" ask
cd Mrs. Weatherby, suddenly.
"It's drift" said the captain. 81
tell you what, Mary, there'n be a
nor'-easter tonight, nor least by nor,
with wind that Il make the sails rat
tie. It's gettin' up now" and he drew
in his uncovered head and was about
to shut the hall door.
\. "1here is something down there, ST.
las" said his wife, right on the top
step. Looks just like big bundle. "
The captain peered out again.
'It's right you are my hearty. Sure
as you live it's a basket" and he touch
ed it with his foot
"Oh, it's the groceries for to-mor-
row; that careless boy forgot them. No
wonder he ran away when he rang the
bell! Fetch 'em in, Silas, and leave
them in the back paror tonight Han
nah will see them the first thing in the
morning.
Better take them into the caboose-
= l mean the kitchen" said the captain.
"No; it's locked up. Put 'em on
that chair by the door Ugh! I'm
shiverin' with the cold air." and the
good woman sat down in front of the
comfortable Goals again.
"We've heap to be thankful for,
Mary" said the captain thoughtfully.
yes, Is'pose so," sighed his wife;
she was thinking just then of two little
graves at Marblehead. They had been
made nigh on to twenty years ago, and
the vacancy in her heart and life had
never been filled.
At that moment queer little wailing
cry rang through the room. The two
started and looked at each other.
''Sakes alivel Why what was thatP"
asked Mrs. Weatherby.
at came out of that basket" said
the captain; 'that fool of boy has
been and slowed hand in the TO cas-
tle-I mean kitten" and he stalked
over to it and jerked off the cover.
by the great horn spoong' ne ex-
claimed. as he jumped back about four
feet; it's babyT'
"Mercy mel" said his wife; where
did it come fromP'
From the skies, | should say: that S
what the bell rang for Well, l must
say this is an imposition.
Mrs. Weatherby was looking curl
-,ously into the basket; all she saw was
rags, two bright smiling eyes. and a
little round head covered with dark
hair-a wee bit of baby, deserted and
alone.
III go for the police" said the cap
tain angrily; ''shiver my timbers II
I'm going to have people starving their
babies on my doorstep when there's
places provided for them as are desti-
tute. The pol e will make short work
OF 1t, Mary"
They won't kill it, will theyP" ask